Sara Meredith is a local poet and she has written a special poem to commemorate National Poetry Day ahead of her book launch and exhibition at the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton.
Sara is part of the Arts Council England supported project 1 in 3 (It`s Our Right) which works towards realising women`s empowerment and gender equality including protecting the rights and improving the lives of women, girls and individuals in the LGBTQIA community.
"Happy National Poetry Day to my fellow poets and to those that have a love of poetry" said Sara Meredith. "After losing my 7 year old son to Covid I found that I could not voice my feelings, or whatever lay on my heart. I felt that if I opened, I would fall apart. Then a suggestion from a friend had me attending an open mic poetry nightand it was there I found my voice and my freedom".
The 1 in 3 (It`s Our Right) project aims to create a series of artistic workshops led by professional artists. These workshops are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore and express their experiences and perspectives on gender based violence through art and creative writing.
"Over the last two years I have walked through grief, betrayal, love and loss so much "said Sara "and these are the emotions that you will find in the pages of my first every poetry book "I Am The Storm". Come journey with me as I try to grieve my children and celebrate them. Come read as i navigate the ending of my 27 year marriage and the awakening I have found due to this."
Sara was part of the workshops that was held at Gatis Community Space in Whitmore Reans in Wolverhampton and she will be launching her debut collection of poetry - "I Am The Storm" - on 3rd November at Clarendon Hotel with 1 in 3 (It`s Our Right) and the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton between 4 - 7th November.
Sara also performed her poetry befiore the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Birmingham recently in the Birmingham Chinese Quarter to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. The event was oprganised by the Birmingham Chinatown Business Association.
"The poems in this book are literally my heart in cursive form" explained Sara Meredith. I hold nothing back. Throughout my life I have felt caught in the middle of a storm being flown about, hitting trees and buildings. This poetry book and the people that I`ve been blessed to surround myself with have changed me. I am now longer being flown about by the storm. I am the storm".
Since 1994, National Poetry Day has engaged millions of people with poetry through a range of live events and web-based activities for people throughout the country. Such a variety of poetry is written and read that each year the day is given a new theme, in order to highlight particular poets and styles of poetry. The 30th anniversary of National Poetry Day is celebrated on Thursday, 3rd October with the theme of ‘Counting.’
To mark the special occasion, The Poetry Society has an array of illuminating events planned, including a poetry happening on London’s bridges, an event at The Poetry Café, an online Young Poets event, results from the Stanza competition, new resources, a National Poetry Day quiz, a special workshop, and a Guinness World Record attempt.
The City Bridge Foundation’s Poet-in-Residence, Cecilia Knapp, will be joining forces with The Poetry Takeaway for National Poetry Day. The Poetry Takeaway’s iconic van will be stationed nearby one of London’s bridges, and Cecilia will join the masterful chefs to create you a poem in a matter of minutes. Further details will be posted to the Foundation’s socials (X/Instagram).
Cecilia will also be headlining at The Poetry Café for ‘Count Me In,’ an open mic event with poems all on the theme of ‘Counting.’ Sign-ups for the three-minute slots are available at the door and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Another open mic opportunity for young poets will be taking place online via Zoom in a Young Poets Takeover. Open mic participants are again invited to read poems on the theme of ‘Counting’ and the event will feature readings from recent winners of the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award and writing challenges on Young Poets Network.
National Poetry Day is also the occasion when The Poetry Society announces the winners of the Stanza competition inspired by the theme of ‘Counting.’ Judged by Rachel Long, the selected poems will be unveiled on the website and social media during the day.
Educators can join a National Poetry Day CPD session on The Poetry Society’s network, Cloud Chamber, on 26th September from 4:30-5:30, and a new resource for National Poetry Day is now available. Any schools interested in inviting a poet to visit through our Poets in Schools service can send an enquiry form to our education team at educationadmin@poetrysociety.org.uk.
Finally, The Poetry Society is supporting poet Laura Mucha in her Guinness World Record attempt for the largest multi-venue poetry lesson, with a targeted 60,000+ students.
I Am The Storm
by Sara Meredith
One heartbeat and life begins
Two people souls combined
Three together a new creation
Four different souls losing their way
Five heartbreaks, bodies left to lay.
Moments and memories to many to count
Joy, laughter new life
Grief, pain and brokenness.
The day we are born to the day that we die
Counting the moments of which there is never enough.
It not the beginning or the end but the love that’s in between.
Don’t count the months, days, hours or minutes
Count the love, what you get to share
The hearts that let you hold them
It’s not about the seconds it’s the moments when you feel seen.
It’s not the years that pass us by
But the arms that reach to hold us
The tears that fall for us
Don’t count the time, count the times you got to love and to be loved.
